Method of extracting alkali metals in the form of nitrates from minerals.



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ANTON MESfiERfiGHMITT, OF STOLBERG, GERMANY METHODFOB nx'rnacrrne ALKALInames IN ran some or :urrnarns FROM iamnaans.

1,076,508, Specification oi: Letters ratent. N0 Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, An'ron Messen- SCHMITI, a subject of the German Emeror, residin in the city of Stolber Rhine rovince, crmany, have inventsnew and usefill Improvements in Methods for Extracting Al ali Metals inForm of Nitrates from Mmeralgot which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a method for extracting alkali-metals in formof nitrates from minerals.

An object of the invention is to extract directly and without anyintermediary steps thoalkalhmetals from minerals which contain"alkali-metals.

Enothe object of the invention is to obtain as :esult of this extractionan end roduct of higher value than it was possible in knOWH methods.

Another object of the invention is to extract alkali-metals fromminerals by using materials which are on the market in largequantitiesand which are therefore not expensive.

With these and other objects in view I have described in the followingspecification by way of example one mode of'performing the method setforth.

It has been observed that minerals of volcanic origin containingalkali-metals, like phonolites and other minerals of similarcharacteristics may be used for the production of nitrates by heatingsaid minerals for an extended period in an aqueous solution ofcalpium-nitrates, magnesium-nitrates and such ike.

The calcium-nitrate of ordinary purity usually contains some calcium-hdroxid, and this latter ingredient exerts a tavorable influence upon thereaction. When the tern perature is increased to the boiling point ofwater only, the reaction takes place very slowly; it will beaccelerated, however, when the material is subjected to highertemperatures and pressure. For this purpose a paste consisting of amixture of the mineral to be treated, the calcium-nitrate and water isintroduced into an autoclave, and is maintained in'continuous motion,The pressure in the autoclave may'vary from fifty to one hundred andtwenty five pounds per square inch, and the heating may be continued forfrom ten tp twenty hours. The materials may preferably be mixed in thefollowing proportions: 1000 pounds of the mineral,

Patented (lot. 21 Ll @132,

Application filed March 1, 1912. Serial No. 680,988.

like phonolitc, 600 pounds basic calciumnitrate and 1000 pounds (120gallons) of water. pounds of lime. The slime obtained by this method islixiviatcd in water and the result is a solution of alkali-nitrates inalmost chemically pure condition. The solution. may still contain somecalcium-nitrate; this excessive amount may be precipitated by adding analkali-carbonate or a hydroxid'. The solution may, after theprecipitation, be neutralized by means of nitric acid, and may beevaporated. If the above method is performed with the amount ofphonolite stated, about 180 pounds nitrate of potassium and 220 poundsnitrate of sodium will be produced. i

In known methods for producing alkalimetal compounds from minerals, byheating the minerals with lime, the products obtained consisted ofmixtures of alkali-metal compounds and the ingredients of the mixturescoulds'only be separated with difiiculty. In the present method,however, the nitrates finallyproduced are in almost chemically purestate.

I claim: v

1. A method for extracting alkali-metals in the form of nitrates fromminerals, which comprises pulverizing the minerals which containalkali-metals and boiling thepulveriz'ed minerals in an aqueous solutioncontaining calcium nitrate. v

2. A method for extracting alkali-metals It is advisable to add about200 in the form of nitrates from minerals, which comprises boiling theminerals which contain alkali-metals in an alkaline solution of calciumnitrate with the addition of caustic lime.

3. A method for extracting alkali-metals in the form of nitrates fromminerals, which comprises pulverizing the minerals which containalkali-metals and boiling the {when ized minerals under pressure in anaqueous solution containing basic calcium nitrate.-

4. -A method for eXtractingalkali-metals in the form of nitrates fromminerals, which comprises boiling under pressure the minerals whichcontain alkali-metals in an alkaline solution of calcium nitrate withthe addition of caustic lime. Y

5; A method for extracting alkali-metals in the. ferns of nitrates fromminerals,

--which comprises boiling under pressure the minerals which containalkali-metals in a solution of basic calcium nitrate with the additionof caustic lime.

6. A method for extracting alkali-metals in the form of nitrates fromminerals, which comprises boiling the minerals which containalkali-metals in a solution of basic calcium nitrate and precipitatingexcessive calcium nitrate from the product obtained.

7. A method for extracting alkali-metals in the form of nitrates fromminerals, which comprises boiling the minerals which contain,alkali-metals in an alkaline solution of a nitrate, precipitatingexcessive amounts of the added nitrate from the solution obtained,neutralizing the solution with nitric acid, and evaporating thesolution.

8. A method for extracting alkali-metals in the form of nitrates fromminerals, which comprises boiling under pressure minerals which containalkali-metals in a solution of a basic nitrate, precipitating excessiveamounts of the added nitrate from the solution obtained, neutralizingthe solution with nitric acid, and evaporating the solution.

9. A method for extracting alkali-metals in the form of nitrates fromminerals, which comprises boiling under pressure minerals which containalkali-metals in a solution of a basic nitrate with the addition ofcaustic lime, precipitating excessive amounts of the added nitrate fromthe solution obtained,

neutralizing the solution with nitric acid,

and evaporating the solution. In testimony whereof I afiix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

ANTON MESSERSGHh'HTT. Witnesses:

HENRY ARADPUEY, ELISE Kooniznnsir.

